Subject: Re: Open Mesh Floors/Large Entrances
Date: Sat, 20 Jan 2001 17:09:35 -0000
From: "Dave Cushman" <dave.cushman@lineone.net>
To: <BiologicalBeekeeping@egroups.com>



Hi Dee

----- Original Message -----
From: deelusbybeekeeper <deelusbybeekeeper@excelonline.com>

> Actually we've been out splitting strong colonies with 3
> or more deep supers of brood and honey since the 8th of January this year.
> Figure since then and before the 21st of Feb, before the spring solstice, we
> can get some good black queen matings with no yellow drones around and an
> additional 100 colonies or so. with 5 months to build back and draw wax
> before our main honey flow in May-June.

The 8th of Jan was a frosty unpleasant day here! but now you have explained
what you are doing then I would suggest that OMF are not for your conditions
I would not install one on a colony for the first time until early summer in
UK. but then it would stay on all year round.

If you tried to use it sometimes and then block it off at others you may
cause them to modify their layout each time you open or close it.

The 50 mm insulation under the roof may be useful as your "splits" (as I
think you call them) are perhaps a little short on bees.

Regards Dave (we still have the coldest part of out winter to come)